The Vratislav's House History

This Renaissance building was probably built in the 16th century by the Vratislav aristocratic family. After the Třeboň fire of 1618 or when the town was besieged by general Marradas’s soldiers in 1622 it was most likely damaged and in 1623 it was reconstructed for the first time. After the Vratislav family, Jan Ruthard Mirotický of Malešov, a lower-ranking aristocrat, in all probability acquired this important piece of real estate. Afterwards it was inherited by his wife Ludmila and she probably sold it, substantiated in writing, to Matyáš Pirglerov.

In 1656, the building was purchased by Tobiáš Prattenberger for 1350 Meissen groschens. In 1672, he sold it to Jan Kazilov, a burgher and town councillor of Třeboň, who repaired it, improved it, and in 1710 transferred it to Melichar Cibuška for 1,000 Rhenish guldens. In 1740, the widow Terezie Cibušková then sold the further improved building to her son-in-law Filip Thurner for 2,000 Rhenish guldens. The widow Ludmila Thurnerová, née Cibušková, then transferred the building to her second husband Josef Schatz.

In 1773, Karel Solberger purchased the building for the sum of 1,400 Rhenish guldens. In all probability the building was again damaged in the Třeboň fire of 1781 and that is probably when the new roof truss, along with new ceilings above the 1st floor were created. In 1808, the widow Antonia Solbergerová transferred the building, having a value of 6,937 guldens, to her son František Solperger, burgher and entrepreneur. František Solperger is recorded in the town register as the owner as late as 1870. However, the Real Estate Cadastre of the town of Třeboň has the oldest record dating from the year 1866, where the owner is recorded as Antonín Břeský of Birkenfels. Most likely during his ownership at the end of the 19th century an historic reconstruction took place, including modifications to the façade and staircase.

In 1901, the building was bought by spouses Jan and Matylda Tesař. At the time, the façade of the building had one and later two extended wooden windows. In 1930, the half of the building that belonged to Matylda Tesařová was transferred to Jan Tesař senior. In 1948, Marie Broukalová, Božena Dušková and Dr. Jan Tesař acquired one-third ownership shares of the building. In 1960, ownership was transferred via a forced gift agreement to the Czechoslovak nation. In 1980, a relatively unsuitable adaptation of the ground floor of the building was carried out with the removal of the extended wooden windows and the plain reconstruction of the gabled façade.

In 1991, the building was acquired via restitution by the descendants of the former owners, who carried out repairs of the roof and in 1999 sold it to the current owners. After carrying out historical construction research and after consulting with the Historic Monument Institution of České Budějovice, they realized  in 2001 a total reconstruction. The approved reconstruction procedure had the goal to protect and accentuate all architecturally valued elements of the Late Renaissance Vratislavský house.

According to historical construction research the preserved quality architectural details and elements are the following:

• The historic elements of the entire side façade and from the 1st floor up of the front façade including the gables, wrought iron elements and design and type of windows,
• The Renaissance and newer vaults of the basement and ground floor,
• The historic staircase, including the banister and stone columns,
• The flat ceilings with cavetto on the upper floor,
• The possible Classicist roof truss and system of chimneys,
• The remains of the possible masonry of the arcade and portal of the entrance on the ground floor on the right of the façade,
• The system of walled-up openings and niches in the wall with the neighbouring house, No. 85,
• The dormer-windows with bars on the façade and attic of House No. 85,
• The stone jamb in the façade at the entrance to the store,
• The stone portal in the rear in the extension on the ground floor with newer doors and wrought iron,
• The stone stairs in the façade in front of the entrance to the store,
• The old paint layers and plaster under the existing façade,
• The wrought iron hanger of the building sign.

About The Vratislav's House and it's history you can read as well at Wikipedia.